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Residency Information

Residency refers to whether you are an in-state Florida resident or an out-of-state
resident. This classification is important since it determines your tuition rate.

What are the requirements for establishing Florida residency? The rules of the road
are set forth in Florida state statute Section 1009.21. The most important thing to
keep in mind is that living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself,
establish legal residence for tuition purposes.

When you apply to the university, your initial residency classification is determined
by the Office of Admissions based on information you provide with your application.
If we don’t receive enough information to determine your residency, you will be classified
as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes. It’s very important to respond to
requests for information about your residency as soon as possible.

You have until the last day of classes in your first term to request a re-evaluation of your initial residency status by providing sufficient documentation. However, if your residency status is listed
as non-Florida at the time that classes begin, you will be assessed out-of-state tuition
charges.

How to Qualify

Florida statute requires the claimant to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien
(hold a green card), or legal alien granted indefinite stay by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service to claim in-state residency. Students and claimants who are
Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident
or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status. The claimant
must have established and maintained a legal Florida residence for at least 12 months
prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which in-state status is sought. In other words, if a student is applying for the Fall term, the documents submitted
to complete the Florida residency review must be issued at least one year prior to the Fall term's start date.

In-state status is only for those residents who reside in the state permanently with
established legal domicile in Florida. Permanent Florida residency is demonstrated
by the absence of ties to any other state and establishment of a bona fide domicile
in Florida. An out-of-state permanent address on pertinent records can result in an
out-of-state classification as it indicates established ties to another state.

INDEPENDENT if age 24 or older OR a graduate student OR under the age of 24 and can claim independence
by the proof of a marriage license, proof of a dependent, or proof of financial independence.

Dependent Status

A dependent student is considered a legal resident of the same state as his or her
parent or legal guardian (the claimant). If the claimant is a legal guardian and NOT
the student's parent, additional guardianship documentation will be required (see
Section II). Graduate students (under the age of 24) can be considered as a dependent
if they provide proof of dependency (see section III).

To qualify for in-state status, the claimant must complete the Residency Declaration
Form and submit copies of eligible documents.

I. Eligible Residency Documents - The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued
at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida
residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state,
Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least
one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

Florida driver's license or State Identification card

Florida vehicle registration

Florida voter's registration

Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida

Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida

Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least
30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

A declaration of domicile in Florida (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as
establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that
the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)

A Florida professional or occupational license

Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations

Documents evidencing a Florida incorporation

Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill
OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

II. Proof of Guardianship (required if claimant is NOT the student's parent)

Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)

Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent
by the claimant

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status
IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status.

III. Proof of Dependency (required if student is a graduate student (under 24) and
claimant is the student's parent and/or guardian)

Claimant is the student's parent

Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent

Claimant is the student's guardian

Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent

AND

Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)

OR

Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent
by the claimant

Independent Status

Undergraduate students age 24 or older and all graduate students regardless of age
are presumed to be independent by the State. All other students seeking to claim independence
must provide proof of independence in addition to Florida residency documentation
(see Section II).

I. Eligible Residency Documents - The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued
at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida
residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state,
Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least
one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

Florida driver's license or State Identification card

Florida vehicle registration

Florida voter's registration

Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida

Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida

Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least
30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

A declaration of domicile in Florida (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as
establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that
the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)

A Florida professional or occupational license

Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations

Documents evidencing a Florida incorporation

Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill
OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

II. Proof of Independence (required if student is under the age of 24 and is NOT a graduate student)

Students seeking to claim residency as an independent must submit one of the following
along with eligible residency documentation outlined above.

Marriage license

Tax return indicating that the student claims a dependent child OR copy of child's
birth certificate

Copy of student's tax return (1040) indicating that they have earned at least 51%
of the estimated cost of attendance* for the application year AND copy of parent's
tax return (1040) indicating that the student is NOT claimed on the parent's taxes

*The estimate is based on the cost of attendance for in-state residents.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status
IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status.

Exceptions

In special cases, Florida statute provides accommodation for a student to receive
classification for in-state tuition purposes when supporting documentation is submitted.
A student should only request residency classification using one of these categories
if they do not qualify as either an independent or a dependent student.

Students must submit the supporting documentation along with the Residency Affidavit. All letters of verification must include a contact name and telephone number so
university staff can confirm the information you provided.

In special cases, Florida statute provides accommodation for a student to receive
classification for in-state tuition purposes when supporting documentation is submitted.
A student should only request residency classification using one of these categories
if they do not qualify as either an independent or a dependent student.

Students must submit the supporting documentation along with the Residency Affidavit.
All letters of verification must include a contact name and telephone number so university
staff can confirm the information you provided.

Exception 1: I am married to a person who has maintained legal residence in Florida
for at least 12 months.

Required Documentation: Copy of marriage license, AND Residency Affidavit completed by the spouse AND two
eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents: The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued
at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida
residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state,
Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least
one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

Florida driver's license or State Identification card

Florida vehicle registration

Florida voter's registration

Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida

Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida

Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least
30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

A declaration of domicile in Florida (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as
establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that
the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)

A Florida professional or occupational license

Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations

Documents evidencing a Florida incorporation

Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill
OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 2: I am a member of the armed services of the United States and I am stationed
in Florida on active military duty pursuant to military orders, or my home of record
is Florida, or I am a member's spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation:

Copy of military orders or DD-2058 showing home of record, AND

For a spouse, copy of marriage license

For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return
indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 3: I am a full-time instructional or administrative employee of a Florida
public school, community college, or institution of higher education, or I am the
employee's spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation*:

Copy of employment contract OR letter from employer verifying employment as a full-time
instructional or administrative employee, AND

For a spouse, copy of marriage license

For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return
indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.

*Please Note: You must still show proof of Florida residency. This option is only intended to waive
the 12-month requirement on your residency documents.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 4: I am a student from Latin America and the Caribbean who receives scholarships
from the Federal or State government. I attend a Florida institution on a full-time
basis.

Required Documentation: Copy of scholarship award letter for the current academic year.

Note: You must also be a citizen of a Latin American or Caribbean nation receiving
a scholarship award from a Florida state agency of at least $500 per academic year.
Privately administered scholarships do not qualify. Reclassification as a temporary
Florida resident for tuition purposes is valid only for the academic year(s) in which
the scholarship is awarded.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 5: I am a qualified beneficiary under the terms of the Florida Pre-Paid
Post-Secondary Expense Program per s.1009.988(2) (Pre-Paid ID Card Required).

Required Documentation: Copy of the front and back of your Florida pre-paid postsecondary expense card.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 6: I am a dependent person who has resided for five years with an adult
relative other than my parent/legal guardian and my relative has maintained legal
residence in Florida for at least 12 months.

Required Documentation: Copies of your adult relative's federal income tax returns for the past five years,
establishing the familial relationship and indicating that you were claimed as a dependent,
AND Residency Affidavit completed by the relative AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents - The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued
at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida
residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state,
Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least
one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

Florida driver's license or State Identification card

Florida vehicle registration

Florida voter's registration

Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida

Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida

Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least
30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

A declaration of domicile in Florida (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as
establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that
the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)

A Florida professional or occupational license

Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations

Documents evidencing a Florida incorporation

Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill
OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 7: I was previously enrolled as a Florida resident for tuition purposes
at a Florida public institution. I abandoned my Florida domicile less than 12 months
ago and I am now re-establishing Florida legal residence.

Required Documentation: Proof that you have previously paid in-state tuition and proof that you have relinquished
any and all legal ties to the state of your most recent previous residence AND that
you have re-established at least two legal ties with the state of Florida as proven
through the submission of the Residency Affidavit AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents - The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued
at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida
residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state,
Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least
one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

Florida driver's license or State Identification card

Florida vehicle registration

Florida voter's registration

Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida

Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida

Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least
30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

A declaration of domicile in Florida (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as
establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that
the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)

A Florida professional or occupational license

Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations

Documents evidencing a Florida incorporation

Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill
OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

You may be asked to provide evidence of previous issue dates for these items, such
as a transcript from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 8: I am a United States citizen living on the Isthmus of Panama and have
completed 12 consecutive months of college work at the Florida State University Panama
Canal Branch or I am the student's spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation:

Copy of transcript OR a letter of enrollment certification from FSU verifying enrollment
at the Panama Canal Branch for the past three terms, AND

For a spouse, copy of marriage license

For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return
indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Required Documentation:A letter of certification from the state coordinator for the Southern Regional Education
Board's Academic Common Market.

Exception 10: I am a full-time employee of a State agency or political subdivision
of the State whose student fees are paid by the State agency or political subdivision
for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or correction training.

Required Documentation:A letter of verification from employer indicating you are a fulltime employee of a
State agency or political subdivision AND you are enrolling in courses for the purpose
of job-related law enforcement or corrections training.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 11: I am a McKnight Fellowship recipient.

Required Documentation: A letter of verification from the Graduate School certifying that you are a McKnight
Fellowship recipient.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Exception 12: I am an active member of the Florida National Guard who qualifies under
Florida Statutes s.250.10(7) and (8) for tuition assistance.

Required Documentation:Your Interstate Transfer Contract, NGB form 22-5-R-E, if you are an active National
Guardsman who has been transferred to Florida from another state, OR Your US Armed
Forces enlist/re-enlist document, DD 4/1 and 4/2, if you have left the active armed
services and have entered the National Guard.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation
to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required
for in-state status.

For an international student, proof of visa status is required. Only the following categories of visa holders
are eligible for consideration. All others are ineligible to establish Florida residency
for tuition purposes.